The Portland Trail Blazers ended the 2014-15 season on disappointing terms and their offseason will prove to be a lot more complicated as several contracts must be addressed. While LaMarcus Alridge is preparing to be a free agency along with Wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez, Damian Lillard is entering the final year of his contract and is expecting top-dollar money from Portland as a result. Who will the Trail Blazers prioritize heading into the start of free agency?
According to Shams Charania of RealGM.com, Lillard has no plans to accept a contract less than a max deal. Lillard is currently set to make just over $4 million next season and then become a restricted free agent in 2016. The Trail Blazers could try and get the former Rookie of the Year inked to a new deal or Lillard might hold out for when the new national TV contracts kick in and teams have more money to spend.
ProBasketballTalk.com reports that Lillard could earn a five-year deal worth $121 million based on projected salary caps. If Portland does not offer him the deal a number of other teams will be lining up to do so. However, while a decision on Lillard could come next year, the Trail Blazers have other contracts to worry about that might factor in with the money the shooting guard will earn.
Right now, the Trail Blazers are dealing with the potential exit of Aldridge. The Oregonian reported that teammates believe there is a very slim chance Aldridge re-signs in 2015. The star will be recruited to join teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks who will offer top-dollar deals. Portland could end up being out of the mix. Aldridge was not happy with the way the season ended and is ready to be with a contending team. The Trail Blazers are at risk of losing big names this offseason and if they fail to replace them the forward could be headed elsewhere.
Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune is reporting that the Trail Blazers are non-committal on bringing back Matthews. The star's season-ending injury certainly does not help his status with the team. Lopez is looking for a contract as well and is coming off a very strong season in Portland. The team might be forced to pick between the two stars. Portland would be wise to keep Matthews around, but the same can be said for Lopez.
